As finals approach us and the school year comes to an end, many students have begun to turn their eyes towards summer. “What can I do to improve myself?” they might ask. Some students might imagine a summer spent working out and lifting weights, while other students might imagine time spent tanning on the beach. However, these well-intended musing also posses the ability to lead these students astray. In order for you younglings to avoid the perils of summer, I have compiled a list of helpful tips to make the most out of your break, without having to deal with certain temptations that might await you.

Helpful Tips:

  1. No one looks good with a handlebar mustache. Ron Swanson could rock a handlebar mustache. George Clooney could rock a handlebar mustache. An 18-year-old boy with acne and patchy hair cannot deal with a handlebar mustache. Unless you fall into the first two categories, just don’t do it.
  2. Tanning is great in moderation. If you look like a member of the Jersey Shore, you’ve messed up. You need to tread a fine line when tanning. A gentle darkening of your skin can look great. However, if you can’t tell the difference between your skin and that of a lizard’s, you have gone too far.
  3. Surfing is a lot of fun. Saying I “Shredded the Knar” is not. If you are lucky enough to spend the summer in California and get an opportunity to ride some great waves, you should definitely do it. However, adopting the surfer lingo of “animal waves” and “sweet riptides” is not going to endear you to your friends once you get back to campus.
  4. Decided to do a summer internship? Awesome! Decided to spend the summer “finding yourself?” Not awesome. Like it or not, once you are in college, summer becomes an important time to enter the real world and try to learn life skills through internships or part-time work. Employers always look for you to take advantage of your summer, whether that be as a Starbucks employee or working at your Dad’s construction company. “Finding yourself” is often code for “I spent the summer watching Netflix and playing video games.” Don’t fall into that trap.
  5. Choosing to spend time only with your friends and not your parents. Folks, if you are lucky enough to be back home for the summer, take advantage of the time you have with your parents. As tempting as it can be to spend all week with your guy or girl friends, remember that your parents missed you when you were gone. Take some time out of your day to talk with your Mom or do a project with your Dad. The little things go a long way.

I hope everyone has a great summer and heeds my advice. I have enjoyed another great semester as your Humor Guru, and I look forward to one more year of laughs.

Declan Feeley is a junior finance and theology major currently studying abroad in London. Want advice or suggestions about studying abroad? Email him at dfeeley@nd.edu